Contents

Background

The disability rights movement is a social empowerment movement wherein people with disabilities fight against discrimination and demand equal access and equal opportunity to everything society has to offer, including employment, housing, transportation, telecommunications and state and local government services.[5]

Synopsis

The documentary intersperses archival footage with first-person interviews with disability rights activists who fought discrimination such as Fred Fay, I. King Jordan, Judi Chamberlin and Judith Heumann, and with legislators who helped draft and secure the passage of the ADA, including Tony Coelho and Tom Harkin. From the beginnings of the disability rights movement, when veterans with disabilities returning home from World War II began to demand an end to discrimination and for better access to employment and other social opportunities, Lives Worth Living traces the history of the movement in the United States in roughly chronological order. The film documents how, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, activists with disabilities began to adopt the some of the tactics and strategies used by civil rights activists a decade earlier, including marches, protests, and civil disobedience.

Using sometimes-disturbing archival footage, Lives Worth Living describes efforts spearheaded by activists and politicians like Bobby Kennedy to shine a public spotlight on the often-horrendous conditions in state institutions for people with mental disabilities, such as Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, New York, eventually leading to deinstitutionalization and community-based alternative programs. Lives Worth Living also documents how, in 1988, Deaf students at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. protested the appointment of yet another in a long line of hearing presidents, and demanded that a deaf president be appointed instead. People with disabilities formed cross-disability coalitions to demand access to all the things that nondisabled people take for granted, including public transportation, accessible housing, public accommodations, and jobs. All these efforts culminated in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act by Congress, and the ADA’s signing by President George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990.[6]

Bah Humbug Geoff. I like a spot of poetry but seriously Christmas? And already? Shudder!

There once was a bit of a scrounger
who spent his days sat on a lounger.
In front of the telly, tinned beer in his belly. . .

And when spotted through the uncurtained window, IDS thought, Goodness gracious me what a state of affairs! I must take a closer look. When Cameron crept up behind him and asked what he was up to spying on folks, he said ‘Oh! . . Mr Prime Minister, you won’t believe what the lower orders get up to while we all all hard at work. I’ve been investigating, in my spare time of course. I think we must put a stop to all this Scum-Baggery at once. See there’s all this Scrounging and Lounging going on at the expence of the hard working tax payer, it’s very bad. Some of them don’t even get dressed. Hm, very bad! I think we should throw a shed load of money at the problem to stamp out such slovenly behaviour. You can trust me to make sure it’s done properly, I’ll personally volunteer to check on progress.’ Please?

Whilst some people find it funny that the disabled and poor are struggling to survive;

This is the sick heartbreaking reality of today when an 80 plus year old gentleman has been evicted by his landlord because he could not pay his rent with no help what so ever. He has been let down by this tyrannical government thrown on the street and left to die. He was found by one homeless person who gave their hot meal and blankets to this now homeless 80 plus year old gentleman who has been thrown out on to the streets with nothing but his shirt on his back and left to die. Has lost everything he owned and probably fought for. You know something this fucking sick depraved government has got to go. THIS HAS TO STOP NOW.

Simon, Tried wathcing the film, I just want to buy Lem-sip and I don’t even like the stuff. I gave up. But I don’t see what the harm is? We on this forum don’t have any money to spend on films, or any other frivolities. Most of us are struggling to feed ourselves and keep warm. We have had the rights we paid for, stolen! By law! Why should we stick to the rules when the rules no longer look after us? The people making that film were showing brave people fighting for their rights, doing stuff they weren’t supposed to be doing, being a nuisence. Perhaps it was felt to be motivating and uplifting to suggest we see it? If you have a problem with that film being accessed for free, use your anger and get the site that’s showing it for free, shut down, don’t give people who thought they were doing a good thing in raising awareness, a hard time. Frankly, if the few people who visit this site cause the film company to go out of business then they were going anyway. Perhaps if you are an expert on the law you could try helping and not berating people on this site? Did you visit for a reason or just to vent your anger at illegal free film watching? I’m not angry at you just sorry because most of us here are trying at the very least to help one another.

……and another person dies as a result of the evil that permeates from the secret state killing machine, the DWP……….

atos_kills_bannerA woman stripped of benefits after being found ‘fit for work’ by Atos has taken her own life the Bristol Post have reported today.

According to the newspaper:

“PARTIALLY-sighted and only able to walk with the aid of a stick, Jacqueline Harris suffered crippling pain due to slipped discs in her back and neck. Her mobility was reduced further when a dog savaged one of her wrists.

“Despite being in agony which strong pain relief could not ease, the 53-year-old was deemed to be fit for work following a government health assessment and told to find a job.

“Her sister claims the verdict that she was ineligible for disability benefits drove her to take her own life earlier this month.”

Predictably both the DWP, and Atos have attempted to wash their hands of the affair. There will be no apology for this tragic loss of life and Atos claim it is nothing to do with them: “we do not make decisions on people’s benefit entitlement, nor are we involved in the appeal process.”

If this were a banker, or businessman who had been driven to suicide over a Government policy then this story would be on the front page of every newspaper. When a yuppy jumps out of a skyscraper, or a celebrity has a breakdown, we are all invited to share in their tragedy. The rich ‘feel’ things more than the poor the media narrative suggests. Meanwhile reports of suicides due to welfare reform are shrugged off by right wing newspaper columnists as the “act of someone in a fevered, unstable state of mind.” If the poor cannot cope with their poverty then that is a personal failing, not a problem with how society is structured.

Only the wealthy might be troubled by losing their income – the horny-handed working class are expected to get on with things, make do and mend, or queue outside foodbanks with a stiff upper lip. Hunger and homelessness is just a triviality compared to a dent in the investment portfolio or having to sell the second home.

When campaigners have warned that Atos Kills this has not been hyper-bole. The problem is that the ruthless assessments for sickness and disability benefits kill the wrong people to have any major media impact. There is more sympathy for the squeezed middle-classes having to cut down skiing holidays than there is for people driven to desperate acts due to having nothing at all. Atos merely culls in the eyes of this Government and those who support them, and many of them see nothing wrong with that.

This suicide is so upsetting. Thanks for highlighting it. We at least can acknowledge it as the tradgedy it is. So unnecessary. I hope her sister takes comfort from the fact some of us care for her suffering. Frustratingly her suicide won’t grab the attention it deserves. The desperate last act of a human being, being driven out of their own life. And it’s seen as though she was some nutter, not someone driven crazy by cruel treatment. Sometimes death seems very sane. I hope she found peace. Those that read posts here, take note. This is not the way. If you want to make a point, not prove the cuts are working because one less person is claiming benefit, then you have to find another way. I like to think in my own delightful and polite fashion, I am a thorn in the side of as many officials as possible. If I was fitter I would be a force to be reckoned with. I know pain and I’ve felt desperation hit over and over but I have always put it off. I’m not better than those that take their lives but I just keep telling myself i’m gonna fight no matter what. And I want my friends to hang on too. Don’t think I’m gonna achieve much by myself. Can anyone think of anyone that hasn’t signed wowpetition ?it’s starting to look possible. 7500 ish to go,

“Why don’t you think a little before you break the law and ruin other people’s lives in the process. I hope the law has a very long arm. Yours disgusted and very angry..!!”

Simon, your comments are rather surprising and show a complete disregard for the people, who I assume you felt some empathy and decided to highlight this by making the film. I haven’t watched it and I assume it was merely being reposted here from somewhere else.

Your film would be better watched by those who know nothing about disability to give them some knowledge and understanding as to what it is like to live a life with diminished faculties.

You talk about the law and ruining people’s lives. Really?

What do you think is happening in the UK right now?

The government cuts and propaganda against the sick, disabled and unemployed are demonising us and leaving many in abject poverty. They are responsible for thousands of deaths. The actual figures are being blocked from official publication. Ask yourself why?

Many have lost all hope of a decent future and as a result have been driven to kill themselves, as they feel life is no longer worth living.

This fascist government is invoking an ideology that belongs in pre-war 1930’s Germany. I would call it State terrorism.

Iain Duncan Smith
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Dear Secretary of State,
We are deeply concerned by your decision to award the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) contract to private contractor Maximus, [more]

Updated tragic list of welfare-related deaths of UK’s sick and/or disabled people. This is the tip on the iceberg:
They shall be remembered forevermore.
Avenge the dead. Resuscitate the living. We must [more]

Stop the unfair and cruel re-assessments via ATOS for disabled people currently on Incapacity Benefit. ESA is a flawed benefit, and puts terrible pressure and stress on vulnerable people, putting people who cannot work on lesser benefits and applying sanctions. Let disabled people decide for themselves if they can work, they and their carers know best.

Recommended Web Sites

'Down With All That'
In-depth background reading on the shambles of the (rapidly disappearing) welfare state

Aktion T4
The T4 Program was responsible for the murder of over 100,000 German citizens…babies, children, adults, and elderly…who had physical and mental disabilities. Developed in 1938 and carried out at six different sites throughout Germany and Austria, the T4 P

Atos Miracles
A place for the sick and disabled to share stories of how ATOS have cured them. Many sites on this subject have been threatened with legal action by the company and this is a place of satire – which we are hoping is not yet outlawed in the UK.

ATOS VICTIMS GROUP
“Telling it How it IS” – Staunch alllies and fighters against the UK’s genocidal so-called welfare ‘reform’ programme

Boycott Workfare
Workfare – compulsory work for benefits – is being rolled-out across the country. We call on public sector bodies, voluntary organisations and businesses being offered these placements as well as union branches to join others in signing a pledge to boycot

Crippen Cartoons
The website of David Luton-Crippen, renown disabled cartoonist and a member of The Black Triangle

Disabled People Against Cuts
DPAC is about disabled people and their allies. DPAC is UK based but we know that disabled people in other countries are suffering from austerity cuts and a lack of fundamental rights. We welcome all to join us in fighting for justice and human rights for

Double Karma
Ania Waterman’s blog on everything to do with disabled people’s activism

Down With All That
Bigleyma’s excellent blog that chronicles the farce that the WCA assessments are and the major players involved in it’s execution.

DWP Examinations Forum
A friendly online community for those undergoing an Atos Medical Assessment or appeal full of loads of information and valuable advice.

The Broken of Britain
Non-partisan UK-based Disability campaign. Advocacy for people with invisible illness and/or physical & mental health conditions. Also Carers, their Families and Friends. Our individual voices are too quiet to be heard, but collectively we can shout